Investigating Sex Differences In Beta Cell Calcium Handling

MRC : Lydia Daniels Gatward : MR/N013700/1

Diabetes is a disease affecting around 10% of the population which is caused by an inability to regulate blood glucose levels. Sex differences exist in diabetes; men have increased incidence of type 2 diabetes compared to women, an effect which is lost after the menopause. Blood glucose levels are normally tightly controlled by insulin release from beta cells in the pancreas, a process which involves calcium signalling.

Dysregulated calcium signalling in these cells disrupts insulin release and has been associated with the development of diabetes. Considering the sex differences in diabetes and findings that other tissues show sex differences in calcium handling, we want to investigate whether sex differences exist in calcium handling in beta cells. To do this, we plan to use state-of-the-art imaging technology to study calcium signalling in two of the main calcium storage compartments in beta cells isolated from non-diabetic and diabetic male and female mice.

Understanding these pathways in more detail could help determine whether the sex of the patient should be more carefully considered when choosing treatments for diabetes.